Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War-Francis Marion;SC

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Important American Rattlesnake Button- Rev Revolutionary War-Francis Marion;SC:
$995.00

For your consideration is a scare example of an American Rattlesnake button from the Revolutionary War. This is the ACTUAL BUTTON photoed in Don Troiani and James L. Kochan\'s Insignia of Independence, page 259, AUS.j. And it states, \"Coiled rattlesnake. Brass or copper, was probably plated. Found near Charleston, SC. 21mm.\" The button is in solid condition and the eye shank remains strong (please see photos). This button was dug on January 11, 2010 and was found at a known Francis Marion site outside of Charleston SC. The button was purchased directly from the finder in SC. The individual had been in contact with Don Troiani, whom stated he had, \"never seen a button of this variation.\" This button will also include a hand written letter of provenance given to me by the finder.

Page 259 in Insignia ofIndependencegives a wonderful description of these important symbols of the War for Independence: \"These very interesting buttons may be military or political. Most have been found in company with American Revolutionary War Buttons...\" These types of Rattlesnake buttons are stillcommonly believed to beof French import and manufacture.

Even before the Revolution, the rattlesnake was a popular symbol of the American cause. Rattlesnakes are native to North America; they don’t attack unless provoked (they give a warning before attacking even then); and although an individual rattle might not be heard, acting together, the rattles can be heard by all. In 1754 Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette printed the Join, or Die Flag with the segmented rattlesnake. It was printed to remind delegates at the Albany Congress of the importance of unity among the colonies in light of the impending war with France (French & Indian War). By 1774 the snake was usually shown whole and the motto had become, \"United Now Alive and Free Firm on this Basis Liberty Shall Stand and Thus Supported Ever Bless Our Land Till Time Becomes Eternity.\" One example of the united snake was the Culpepper Flag, which was probably based on a design that had been created to protest the Stamp Act called “Rebellious Stripes.” It was one of the first Flags used by the American Navy. This Flag (or a variation of it) was flown on American ships throughout the Revolution. The Gadsden Flag is a variation of the Don’t Tread on Me Flag. Its field was bright yellow. Designed by Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina, it was first used in February 1776 by Commander Esek Hopkins, Commander in Chief of the new Continental fleet. The snake motif was also commonly used on the mastheads of Colonial newspapers.

Thank you